UMM logo

Transplant Center

Patient Information

Patient Information | Overview Video | The Transplant Program | Before The Transplant | The Transplant | Going Home | Steroid-Free Protocol | Insurance | Transplant Patient Education Series | Online Resources | Out-of-Town Patients | Directions

Before The Transplant

 

Staying In Touch

An organ may become available at any time of the day or night. To make sure that we can reach a potential recipient immediately, we provide each patient on the waiting list with a pager. We also keep a file of all telephone numbers where patients may be reached.


Additional Tests

Patients usually do not return to the Hospital until the actual transplant. Any needed tests can be scheduled by the patient's primary doctor or, in the case of kidney transplants, through the candidate's dialysis facility. The transplant coordinator makes sure all needed tests are completed.


The Waiting List

After a person is accepted, he or she is listed immediately with the local organ procurement organization and then added to regional and national lists of the United Network of Organ Sharing.

The allocation of organs differs depending on the organ involved. For example, kidney allocation is based upon a point system which takes into account the degree of antigen match (how well the organ matches the patient), time on the waiting list and blood type compatibility.

An organ may become available at any time, but because of the ongoing shortage of donor organs in this country, potential recipients may be on waiting lists for a year or more.


The Patient Support Group

Because there are many emotional issues for potential transplant recipients and their families, the Transplant Program has an active patient support group. This group meets each month, and is open to everyone on the waiting list, as well as all patients who have already received transplants. All issues related to transplant can be discussed in this trusting, caring atmosphere.


Living Donations

In the case of kidney patients, the identification of possible living donors is an important part of the pre-transplant screening process. While family members provide the best possible match, we encourage spouses and friends to consider making this most precious gift.

Kidney donation is generally a relatively simple procedure with a total hospital stay of three to five days. The transplant coordinator can answer specific questions about living donations.

top


If you would like to make an appointment or talk to someone about our services, please call 410-328-5408 or 1-800-492-5538.

This page was last updated on: February 18, 2008.